The pedestrian killed by British Netflix actor and rapper Ghetts in a high-profile hit-and-run has officially been identified as Nepalese student Yubin Tamang, as Ghetts faces charges over the incident. Ghetts, born Justin Clarke-Samuel, is accused of failing to stop after hitting 20-year-old Tamang on Redbridge Lane East in Ilford, northeast London, on 18 October.

‍

‍

The 41-year-old appeared at Stratford Magistrates' Court on Monday, October 20, charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, before Tamang passed away later that day. Following the victim’s death, the charge against Ghetts, from east London, is expected to be upgraded to causing death by dangerous driving at the next hearing. Ghetts has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Monday, 27 October.

‍

‍

On Friday, Tamang was seen publicly for the first time in CCTV footage taken moments before the crash, showing him crossing the road in dark clothing. The footage depicts him halfway across the street when a dark vehicle speeds into view. The shocking footage then shows the moment the vehicle strikes the victim, sending him flying, with an object which appears to be a shoe being left behind. Police are now calling for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

‍

The news of Ghetts’ arrest has caused a whirlwind of strong reactions on social media, with many expressing their disappointment in the rapper’s actions and his sudden fall from grace. While many offered words of warmth and support towards the rapper, many others focussed their sympathy towards the young victim and his family. People have since criticised the waves of support flooding in for Ghetts’, suggesting that had he not been a successful rapper, the response to his crime would have been drastically different.

‍

Ghetts is an acclaimed rapper and songwriter known for collaborations with Skepta, Stormzy, and Ed Sheeran. He won Best Male Act at the 2021 MOBO Awards and received the MOBO Pioneer Award in 2024 for his contribution to Black British culture. With nearly 350,000 Instagram followers, Ghetts has also been nominated for a Mercury Prize. Alongside his successful career in music, he starred in Rapman’s acclaimed Netflix series Supacell. 

‍